Kuan Yin
Kuan Yin is one of the most popular dieties worshipped by the Chinese. She is also called "The Goddess of Mercy" (The Goddess of Compassion), the embodiment of compassionate loving kindness. As the Bodhisattva of Compassion, She hears the cries of all beings. She is said to have taken a vow that she will enter heaven last of all, denying herself full enlightenment until after all others have completed their cycles of lifes. Kuan Yin enjoys a strong resonance with the Christian Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and the Tibetan goddess Tara. Her influence extends from the very dawn of creation to the heartfelt wishes of woman desiring children. In times of sickness and trouble, she is the first to be invoked. She is child-bearer, creator, living compassion, friend and intercessor. She is the great goddess of life herself.
 
 

Legend of MiaoShan
MiaoShan was said to be the incarnation of Kuan Yin. In the past, there was a king and the queen bored three daughter, the eldest Miao-yen, the second Miao-yin, and the youngest Miao-shan. At the time of Miao-shan's conception the queen dreamed that she swallowed the moon. When the time came for the child to be born, the whole earth quaked, and wonderful fragrance and heavenly flowers were spread near and far. The people of that country were astounded. At birth she was clean and fresh without being washed. Her holy marks were noble and majestic, her body was covered over with many-colored clouds. The people said that these were signs of the incarnation of a holy person. Although the parents thought this extraordinary, their hearts were corrupt, and so they detested her.

MiaoShan grew up to be a kind and compassionate lady, dressed plainly and ate only once a day. In the palace she was known as "the maiden with the heart of a Buddha." However, it came the time when her father, the king, decided to find her a husband. When the king and his lady sent for her and tried to coax her, she said: "I will obey your august command if it will prevent three misfortunes." Her answer fails to satisfy the king and she was treated harshly in hope that she would change her mind.

Time went by, and the king fell sick. His whole body was corrupt and suppurating, and he could no longer sleep or eat. None of the doctors could cure him. He was about to die when a monk appeared, saying he was well able to cure him, but would need the arms and eyes of one free from anger. The king found this proposal extremely difficult to meet. The monk said: "On Fragrant Mountain, in the south-west of your majesty's dominion, there is a bodhisattva engaged in religious practices. If you send a messenger to present your request to her you can count on obtaining the two things."

The messanger returns with the arms and eyes of the bodhisattva and recover from his orderal. He went to Frangrant Mountain to thank the bodhisattva personally and realise the person who save him is his daughter - MiaoShan. Miao-shan said: "Mindful of my father's love, I have repaid him with my arms and eyes." Hearing her words, the king and queen embraced her, bitterly weeping. Auspicious clouds enclosed all around, divine muscians began to play, the earth shook, and flowers rained down. And then the holy manifestation of the Thousand Arms and Thousand Eyes was revealed, hovering majestically in the air. Attendants numbered tens of thousands, voices celebrating [the bodhisattva's] compassion resounded to shake the mountains and valleys. In a moment, the bodhisattva reverted to her former person, then with great solemnity departed.